Ticket Lottery Opens for National Christmas Tree Lighting

The holiday season in Washington, D.C., kicks off this year when President Obama is expected to light the 65-foot-tall Sierra white fir during the annual Pageant of Peace concert and tree-lighting ceremony. It takes place the Ellipse by the White House on Dec. 1 at 5 pm ET.

The National Park Service will give away 3,000 tickets for seats and 14,000 standing-room tickets. To apply, you need to take your chances in an online lottery that opens on Thurs., Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. EST time at thenationaltree.org.

The lottery will run through Nov. 7. (Ticket seekers without access to a computer may also call 877.444.6777 or for TDD 877.833.6777)

Even if you don't score tickets, know that the tree stays lit throughout the season. Local music groups perform each evening from 6 to 8:30 p.m. through the end of December, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

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